Wicked Conditions

Sunday, September 14: I turned on my cell phone and had 4 messages. I wasn't expecting to hear from Lyle for a few days so this is a surprise. I listen to the messages and each becomes more difficult to understand. The first message was that Lyle had reached a peak and was happy to realize he can call out. It is cold, misty and cloudy with no view. He is on the way down and I probably won't hear from him for a few days. Message two is very difficult to understand because the wind is overriding his words. What I understand is that on the way down the wind gusts feel like they are 40-50 mph and pushing him around. It is difficult to stay on his feet and he is worried about staying on the mountain. Message 3 is that he is approaching the tree line and he is in better shape but the reception is worse than the other two messages. He has never experienced such wicked conditions on the trail but I'm only getting every 4th or 5th word. The final message is that he has reached the trees and is out of the wind. I probably won't hear from him for a few days but he is okay. My heart is pounding and residing in my throat. I'm so disappointed that I didn't have my cell phone on earlier. And I'm praying that his is okay and somewhere safe and dry.

I watch the evening news and see that the state of Maine is in rain. It must be just miserable conditions.